SNCF's BB 25500 class are part of a series of electric locomotives built by Alsthom. They are the dual system version of the BB 17000 (AC) and BB 8500 (DC) locomotives (17000+8500=25500). They are fitted with monomotor bogies with two different gear ratios. This allows them to have either increased tractive effort for freight, or a higher top speed. This makes them suitable for both freight and passenger trains.[3]

Class BB 15500
SNCF BB 25594 at Strasbourg Central Station, (August 2009)
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Alsthom Build date 1964–1976 Total produced 194
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC B′B′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Driver dia. 1,100 mm (3 ft 7 in) Length 14.70 m or 48 ft 3 in (25501–25544) 14.94 m or 49 ft 0 in (25545–25587) 15.57 m or 51 ft 1 in (25588–25694) Loco weight 79 t (78 long tons; 87 short tons) (25501–25544) 80 t (79 long tons; 88 short tons) (25545–25555) 77 t (76 long tons; 85 short tons) (25556–25587) 77 t (76 long tons; 85 short tons) (25588–25694) Electric system/s Catenary 1.5 kV DC 25 kV 50 Hz AC Current pickup(s) Pantograph Traction motors 2×TAB 660B1 monomotors
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 or 140 km/h (62 or 87 mph) Power output 2,940 kW (3,940 hp) Tractive effort 330 kN (74,200 lbf) or 197 kN (44,300 lbf)
Career Operators SNCF TER/Transilien Class BB 25500 Number in class TER: 102[1] Transilien: 8[2] Locale TER: Bourgogne, Bretagne, Franche-Comté, PACA, Rhône-Alpes; Transilien:Paris Montparnasse - Dreux/Mantes la Jolie

They were built in three distinct batches leading to detail differences. They remain in use as mixed traffic locomotives, mostly with TER and Transilien.

Romania

Ten locomotives (25517, 25518, 25523, 25524, 25528, 25536, 25570, 25572, 25576 and 25581) have been exported to Romania. They work with former SNCF Rio carriages for Regiotrans.[4]

Unfortunately, 25536 caught fire on 5 December 2017 at Cața station whilst hauling a freight train.

Services worked are:

• Brașov - Bucharest
• Brașov - Bucharest - Constanţa (Summer)

The locomotives have been renumbered by adding 400,000 to their SNCF numbers.

References

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